Flight History
On July 10, 2013, at approximately 15:30 local time, a Cessna F152 (registration F-GBJS) operated by a local flying club was on a solo navigation flight as part of a student pilot's PPL training. The planned route was from Guiscriff (Morbihan) to Saint-Brieuc (Côtes-d'Armor) and then to La Baule-Escoublac (Loire-Atlantique). The first segment proceeded normally.
Approaching La Baule aerodrome, the student contacted the AFIS agent and joined a left-hand downwind leg for runway 11. He reported that the final approach was stable with no turbulence or crosswind. He configured the aircraft for landing and maintained a speed of 75 knots, higher than his usual 65 knots, because he had discussed with his instructor the possibility of turbulence during pre-flight planning.
On final, the AFIS agent advised wind from 040 degrees at 12 knots. The student stated that he did not hear the wind intensity but did not request a repetition because he neither felt a crosswind nor turbulence.
After power reduction, during the flare, the aircraft began to oscillate in the vertical plane. On the third oscillation, the aircraft rolled to the right, and the main landing gear contacted the runway. The nose gear then struck the ground hard and collapsed. The aircraft slid on the runway, veered left, and came to rest in the grass.
Pilot Information
The student pilot, aged 56, had accumulated approximately 40 flight hours, all on the Cessna 152 type. He had begun his training in February 2012.
Weather Conditions
A weather station recording from La Baule between 15:25 and 15:35 showed instantaneous wind direction varying between 40° and 60° with gusts between 10 and 20 knots. The Cessna F152 flight manual specifies a maximum demonstrated crosswind component of 12 knots for landing.
Damage and Aftermath
The aircraft sustained substantial damage. The extent of injuries to the pilot, if any, was not specified in the source.
Investigation
The investigation did not determine the exact circumstances of the loss of control. The absence of a decision by the pilot to abort the landing when the aircraft became destabilized during the flare may have contributed to the accident.